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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Master and Mastership Chapter 6: Wala’ of Leadership It means the right of social and political leadership. Indeed a society must have a leader. The person qualified to take charge of the social affairs of the Muslims and to control their destinies is called Walyy-ul Amr al-Muslimin (Administrator of the affairs of the Muslims). During his lifetime Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, held this position which was granted to him by Allah.

Following his death, it was attained by the . There exists undeniable evidence to prove this fact. Besides the Hadith of Ghadir, several verses of the Holy Qur'an point out this kind of Wala’ . " Obey Allah, the Messenger and those of you who are in charge of your affairs ''.[^1] (al-Nisa, 4 59). " The Prophet has more authority over the believers than that which they have over their selves ".

(al-Ahzab, 33:6) There is no dispute about the fact that the Prophet held this position which was a right given to him by Allah and not by the people. Our Sunni brethren also agree with us on this point. The only debatable question is regarding the person, who holds this position after him. To avoid chaos and confusion there must be somebody who may administer the affairs of the Muslims and whom they must obey. Did Islam devise any procedure in this respect? If it has, what is that?

Has it allowed the Muslims to choose somebody as a successor to the Prophet or did the Prophet before his demise designate a particular person to succeed him? In this connection we should see what duties, according to the Holy Qur'an, the Prophet performed with regard to the social affairs of Muslim community. It is inferred from the Holy Qur'an and the life of the Prophet that he simultaneously held three positions. Firstly he was the Imam, religious leader and the law-giver.

Whatever he said or did was authoritative. The Qur'an says " If the Messenger orders you to do something, obey it, and if he forbids somethings abstain from it ". (al-Hashr, 59:7) Secondly his decisions with regard to any internal disputes and any lawsuits were binding and valid.

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: " I swear by your Lord, they will not be true believers until they make you judge of what is in dispute between them and find in themselves no dislike of that which you decide, and submit with full submission ".